Cow & Gate Product FAQs

We are constantly reviewing our recipes and looking to make improvements. We are removing palm oil from the blend of oils we use in our recipe because we know that this is an important topic for many parents. You may also notice some minor changes to some of the levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in our formulations.

Formula milk is one of the most strictly regulated and tested food products in the world. We can assure you that both the previous and new Cow & Gate products have been developed by our trusted scientists and are safe for babies.

You or your baby may notice some small differences in smell, appearance or taste of the formulation and/or a difference in your baby's poo, such as temporary changes to its colour or consistency. This is completely normal but if you have any concerns, we are here to support you and can share advice on how to transition. You can also speak to your healthcare professional.

You may have seen that our Cow & Gate baby and toddler powder products changed throughout 2021. Our Cow & Gate baby and toddler liquids products will change from early 2022, some between April and June.

Please see a list below of the products that already have the updated formulation:

•  Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 800g 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 700g 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 1.2kg Big Pack 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 350g 
• Cow & Gate Hungry First Infant Milk 800g 
• Cow & Gate Hungry First Infant Milk 200ml 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk Starter Pack 6x70ml (Live W/c 18th April) 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 24x70ml (Live W/c 18th April) 
• Cow & Gate First Infant milk 200ML 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 1L 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 4x200ML 
• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk 6x200ML  
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 800g 
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 700g 
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 1.2kg 
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 350g 
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 200ml 
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 4x200ML 
• Cow & Gate Follow-on milk 6x200ML  
• Cow & Gate Toddler Milk Stage 3 800g  
• Cow & Gate Toddler Milk Stage 3 700g  
• Cow & Gate Toddler Milk Stage 3 200ml  
• Cow & Gate Toddler Milk Stage 4 800g 

You will be able to tell if it is the new formulation by the new look we have on our packaging (please see images below).

Other products in our Standard Range will change in early 2022 and you will also be able to tell when these have changed by the new look and ‘updated formulation’ on the top of the pack.

Important Notice

Breastfeeding is best for babies. Follow-on milk is only for babies over 6 months, as part of a mixed diet. It should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. The decision to start weaning including the use of this product before 6 months should be made only on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or other professional responsible for maternal and child care, based on baby’s individual needs.

Yes, both the previous and new formulations have been developed by our trusted scientists and can be used safely together. However please ensure that you don't mix different formulations in the same bottle/beaker.

All babies are different, and whilst it is safe to switch directly onto the updated formulation, some babies may take a bit more time to adjust to the updated formulation as their digestive system adapts to any changes.

If you have concerns about moving to the new formulation straight away, we recommend changing just one feed a day, keeping all of the other feeds to the previous formula. Once this feed has become established, introduce the second feed of the updated formula. Continue in this way until all of the feeds are with the new formula milk.

You can also speak to your healthcare professional if you have any questions about transitioning.

Yes, in 2019 our formulations were updated due to a regulation change. The products that were changed were all Cow & Gate powders and liquids, including our specialist formula milks.

In 2021, we are updating the formulations again by removing palm oil from the blend of oils we use in our recipe because we know that this is an important topic for many parents. You will be able to tell if it is the new Cow & Gate formulations by the new look (please see picture below).

Both the previous and new formulations have been developed by our trusted scientists and are safe for babies.

Every baby is different, and some babies may experience settling issues when changing milks due to slightly different tastes, textures and composition. Rest assured that this is normal, and any symptoms should be minimal and temporary (such as changes in stool frequency and colour). We recommend allowing some time for your baby to settle with a new formulation. However if you have any concerns please discuss this with your healthcare professional.

To ensure our products are always available to you, our current formulations will gradually be replaced with the new ones.

We are offering some of our previous formulations through our website shop in order to help with the transition. Please be aware that the previous formulations will only be offered on our website shop whilst stocks last. In the transitionary period, we will only be selling our previous formulations on our website shop and so you will not be able to purchase the new formulations during this time.

Our baby cereals range remains unchanged and will still be widely available across all major retailers.  

We still have a large selection of products across our baby rice, cereals, muesli and fruit pot products.  If you’d like any feeding support, please contact our careline. 

Our baby jar, pouch and dairy pot products will start to be discontinued from retailers in February 2021 and will be available in some retailers until July 2021 (subject to availability). This will hopefully give you enough time to find alternative products for your little one.   

Cow & Gate Baby Food is only sold in the UK & Ireland, but you can find other Danone baby food brands such as Bobovita in Poland & Bledina in France. 

There is no problem with these products which are safe for parents to feed and their little ones to enjoy. 

We have no current plans to discontinue any other baby food products. 

Yes, it is true. We are always reviewing our product range, including working with parents, to make sure it meets the latest consumer trends and have decided to discontinue our Fruit Pots products.  We will now focus on our other popular baby rice, cereals, and muesli, which will remain on sale in all major retailers.

Sorry you’ve been unable to your normal Fruit Pots in store. We’ve recently reviewed our product ranges and have discontinued our fruit pots.

That’s right, fruit pots will start to become unavailable in shops from April 2022.  This will be phased across all retailers over several months, until about August 2022.

We didn’t take this decision lightly and I’m sorry you are disappointed. We still have a large range of products available, so we hope you can find something else for your little one to enjoy.

Manufacturing baby food is a different process to home-cooking, so unfortunately, it’s not as simple as providing a recipe for parents to replicate at home.  If you know the flavours and textures your baby enjoys, then I can put you in touch with our baby food Nutritionist who may be able to help you.    

We are always reviewing our product range to make sure it meets the latest consumer trends. We have taken the decision to focus on our other popular products, so baby rice, cereals, and muesli products will remain on sale in all major retailers.

If pushed: We work with retailers and parents to understand their changing needs, which helps us develop innovative new products. We want to ensure we meet the latest consumer trends.

Our baby cereals range remains unchanged and will still be widely available across all major retailers.

We still have a large selection of products across our baby rice, cereals, and muesli products. If you’d like any feeding support, I can put you in touch with our baby food Nutritionist who may be able to help you.  

Our Fruit Pots will start to be discontinued from retailers in April 2022 and will be available in some retailers until August 2022 (subject to availability). This will hopefully give you enough time to find alternative products for your little one.  

Cow & Gate baby food is only sold in the UK & Ireland, but you can find other Danone baby food brands such as Bobovita in Poland & Bledina in France.

Not at all.  All of our baby food products are manufactured to meet strict composition criteria.  We are simply focusing on our other popular baby food products.

No, The sustainability of the packaging has not affected our decision. We remain committed that all our packaging will be recyclable by 2025.

No, our decision is solely based upon our recent product range review.

There is no problem with these products which are safe for parents to feed and their little ones to enjoy.

We have no current plans to discontinue any other baby food products at this time.

I’m so sorry to hear that you are disappointed by this decision, it wasn’t one we took easily.  We do still have a large selection of products across our baby rice, cereals, and muesli products.

Perhaps if you can tell me where you are trying to find [insert product name] I can try and help you find it in another shop/retailer.

We are always reviewing our product range to make sure it meets the latest consumer trends. We have taken the decision to focus on our other popular products, so baby rice, cereals, and muesli products will remain on sale in all major retailers.

If pushed: We work with retailers and parents to understand their changing needs, which helps us develop innovative new products. We want to ensure we meet the latest consumer trends.